Yorkshire Copper Tube Ltd in is making 117 workers redundant and cutting production by a third.

Workers at the plant were told at a meeting earlier this week the jobs were being cut and that a 90-day consultation period would begin.

The firm, formerly Yorkshire Imperial Metals, employs 400 staff and was sold to German firm KM Europa Metal last year.

Based on the East Lancashire Road, it makes copper tubing for the central heating industry. spokesman for the company said: "On December 1 2003, KM Metal AG, Europe's largest plumbing tube manufacturer and parent company of Yorkshire Copper Tube, announced a proposal to rationalise manufacturing across its European factories.

"The Yorkshire Copper Tube factory will in future concentrate on producing material under the Yorkshire brands for UK, Ireland, Scandinavia and other export markets.

"This would include additional tonnage for the USA.

"The manufacture of certain products currently produced at Kirkby would be transferred to other KME mills.

"Regrettably, the proposal would result in job losses of 117 at Kirkby.

"The company believes these changes are necessary to ensure the viability and security of the business in the long term.

"The simplification is expected to produce an improvement in efficiency which will enhance the company's efficiency."

A Transport and General Workers union said: "It is always sad when people lose their jobs but it is particularly poignant so shortly before Christmas.

"We will be doing everything in our power to get the best settlement for our members during this consultation period."